My Nonprofit Reviews

When I was in my early 30s in 1979, at the end of a time of deep depression in my life, I was encouraged by a friend at church to volunteer at Crossroads. From what I already knew about the Rev. Jim McLaren, I was already intimidated by his quiet but commanding voice and his high expectations of volunteers. Moreover, i was not sure I wanted that much close proximity to men and women whose lives were coming apart at the seams.
Nevertheless, I called, and to my amazement, it was Jim who answered. When I gave my name, he said, "You're the guy who came to the first meeting in 1971 but never came back." I was gobsmacked, but offered my services nonetheless. I was assigned to answer the phone on my volunteer days that summer, to manage the front door, to sweep up at the end of the day, and to clean the unisex toilet. But it was a start.
I was so moved by the variety of volunteers and staff and their cheerful, unintimidating commitment to the work--where I had imagined unseamed people, they saw beloved children of the One God, and got at meeting the needs they could.
I went on to to take the volunteer training, to serve once or twice a week for the next eight years, and to serve on the Board. When I moved slightly north, I also found myself able to serve in Oakland County's South Oakland Shelter program for 21 years as a volunteer shelter coordinator at my church.
In short, Crossroads, Father Jim, the amazing volunteers and permanent staff AND the many clients, by the Grace of God, changed my life.